Protective coping for a swimming pool

ABSTRACT

The invention is a swimming pool coping construction having a pair of channels, into the one of which, a swimming pool liner is fitted, and into the other of which, a protective panel is snapfitted, thereby to present an ornamental face, simulating a tile border.

finite States Fattent Inventor Frederick Katzman 372 Hamilton BlvdL, Piscatawny, N..]I. 08854 Appl. No. 76,803

Filed Sept. 30, 1970 Patented Dec. 21, 1971 PROTEQTIVE COPING FOR A SWIMMING M101. 7 Clnims, 4 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 4/172.2l 1nt.C| E0411 3/116,

E04h 3/18 FieM 01 Search 4/172,

[56] likefferences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3298,039 1/1967 Schmarlar 4/172.21 3,310,814 3/1967 Lipman 4/l72.21 3,540,274 11/1970 Shore 4/172 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis AltomeyPopper, Bain, Bobis & Gi1fi11an ABSTRA'CT: The invention is a swimming pool coping construction having a pair of channels, into the one of which, a swimming pool liner is fitted, and into the other of which, a protective panel is snap-fitted, thereby to present an ornamental face, simulating a tile border,

PROTECTIVE CURING IFOR A SWIMMING POOL BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates generally to a swimming pool coping construction, and specifically to a coping with a protective border for a vinyl liner swimming pool.

2. Prior Art Swimming pool copings of many designs are available. They usually have a channel into which a vinyl liner's beaded edge is snap-fitted. The top of the vinyl liner is usually above the high water mark of a swimming pool, and the liner is thus exposed to sunlight, and subject to deterioration. The exposed portion of the vinyl liner above the waterline is subject to sharp physical contact from the hands of swimmers, floats, balls, and numerous other objects that may be used in and about a swimming pool, such as net skimmers, vacuum cleaner handles, pool brushes and the like. Concrete swimming pools have ornamental tile borders at the waterline, so as to obscure waterline stains, but vinyl liner pools are not so provided, and the liners are often stained, or become faded at the waterline and above it.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It has been found that a vinyl liner swimming pool can be provided with a coping incorporating a simulated tile border, that will impart the appearance of a tile-bordered concrete swimming pool. The coping is provided with an extra channel into which a protective panel is snap-fitted. This provides protection against tearing, abrasion, fading, and deterioration for the vinyl liner. The panel may be given a simulated tile facing, thereby giving to the relatively inexpensive vinyl liner swimming pool, the appearance of the much more costly concrete swimming pool with a real ornamental ceramic tile border.

THE DRAWINGS These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages may be attained by the device shown by way of illustration in the drawings in which,

FIG. I is a vertical sectional said view of the coping;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the coping with a liner and a protective panel attached;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the coping, liner, and simulated tile border panel; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the simulated tile border panel, separated from the coping.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail, the invention presents a member or coping 11 to be attached to the edge of a swimming pool. Such members are available in numerous forms: some are made in a single piece; others are made of several pieces. Usually they are all characterized by an outer end which is convex, and which slopes smoothly and gradually down to an inner end. The exact configuration of the coping II is not critical, except for the necessity that the outer convex end portion of the coping should be provided with a first means to hold the edge 12 of a vinyl liner l3, and a second means to hold a panel 14. In the form shown in the figures, the first means is a lower or first channel 15 at the outer end of the coping II. The channel 15 is provided with a lip ll6, so that the bead edge 112 of the vinyl liner 13 may be snap-fitted therein and held to the coping 11. The second means is an upper or second channel 17 to hold the panel 14. This channel is also provided with a lip 13.

The panel M is to be mounted in this second means or upper channel I7, which is above the first means or first channel 115, and they may share a common wall H9. The panel M is a generally vertical rigid sheet, having an inwardly extending flange 20, disposed perpendicular at the top rear of the panel,

and provided with a bottom groove 211, dimensioned to be snap-fitted and held in the second means, with the panel 114 extending downwardly over the top of the vinyl liner l3 sufficiently to extend below the waterline 22 of the swimming pool, thereby to function as a shield for the portion of the liner above the waterline, protecting into from exposure to the suns rays, and abrasive contact. The front of the panel may be provided with a simulated ceramic tile design 23, and suitable imitative coloration so as to impart to the pool, the aspect of a concrete swimming pool with a ceramic tile border. The panel M may also be a soft oilcloth sheet.

The coping may be made of cement, tile, extruded aluminum, or any other suitable material. The panel I4 is preferably made of a plastic material, or extruded aluminum, and may have the design 23 painted or embossed thereon to simulate tiles. The panels flange 20 may be deformable to snap-fit into the channel 117, or the coping 11 may have the common wall 119 resilient and deflectiblle to receive and hold the panels flange 20 as well as the vinyl liner.

I claim:

I. A protective coping for a swimming pool having a liner positioned below the coping comprising a. a coping member,

b. an outer end on the coping member for location at the edge ofa swimming pool,

c. means on the outer end of the coping member to attach a protective or ornamental panel,

d. a generally flat panel attached to the means and extending downwardly therefrom, to cover a portion of a liner positioned below the coping.

. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising the device according to claim l in which,

. said means comprises a channel, and

. an enlargement on the back of the panel engaged with the channel.

. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising the device according to claim I in which,

. the panel is made of rigid stock.

. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising the device according to claim 1 and,

. the panel made of soft stock.

. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising the device according to claim 2 and,

another channel is located below the first mentioned channel and is dimensioned to receive the top of a liner.

. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising the device according to claim 11 and,

. a simulated tile design on the front of the panel.

. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising the device according to claim I and,

. the means comprising a channel,

. an enlargement on the back of the panel engaged with the channel,

d. another channel below the means dimensioned to receive the top of a liner,

e. a simulated tile design on the front of the panel,

f. the panel extending downwardly below the other channel to overlap the top ofa liner received in the other channel and to protect it from abrasion or sunlight.

Notice of Adverse Decisions in Interferences In Interference No. 98,211 involving Patent No. 3,628,198, F. Katzman, PROTECTIVE COPING FOR A SWIMMING POOL, final judgment adverse to the patentee was rendered July 3, 197 3, as to claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.

[Ofiicial Gazette N o vembm" 27,1973.] 

1. A protective coping for a swimming pool having a liner positioned below the coping comprising a. a coping member, b. an outer end on the coping member for location at the edge of a swimming pool, c. means on the outer end of the coping member to attach a protective or ornamental panel, d. a generally flat panel attached to the means and extending downwardly therefrom, to cover a portion of a liner positioned below the coping.
 2. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising a. the device according to claim 1 in which, b. said means comprises a channel, and c. an enlargement on the back of the panel engaged with the channel.
 3. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising a. the device according to claim 1 in which, b. the panel is made of rigid stock.
 4. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. the panel made of soft stock.
 5. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising a. the device according to claim 2 and, b. another channel is located below the first mentioned channel and is dimensioned to receive the top of a liner.
 6. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. a simulated tile design on the front of the panel.
 7. A protective coping for a swimming pool comprising a. the device according to claim 1 and, b. the means comprising a channel, c. an enlargement on the back of the panel engaged with the channel, d. another channel below the means dimensioned to receive the top of a liner, e. a simulated tile design on the front of the panel, f. the panel extending downwardly below the other channel to overlap the top of a liner received in the other channel and to protect it from abrasion or sunlight. 